Former Scottish National Party chief pleads guilty to embezzling $540,000
Peter Murrell admits to embezzlement and faces sentencing
By Alistair Smout
LONDON, May 25 (Reuters) - Former Scottish National Party chief executive Peter Murrell pleaded guilty on Monday to embezzling more than £400,000 ($540,000), admitting diverting funds from the party to buy items such as cars, a motorhome and luxury goods.
Background and connections to Nicola Sturgeon
Murrell is the former husband of ex-SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon, who suddenly resigned in 2023, shortly before she was arrested as part of the probe into the party's finances. She was cleared of wrongdoing in March last year.
Impact on the Scottish National Party
The police probe, the arrest of the SNP's longest-serving leader and the conviction of her former husband have prompted embarrassing questions for the pro-independence party which has dominated Scottish politics for nearly two decades.
Sturgeon’s response to Murrell’s guilty plea
After Murrell's plea, Sturgeon reiterated her innocence and said that she had "no knowledge or suspicion whatsoever that he was using SNP funds for personal purposes."
"I am utterly appalled that he did so and cannot begin to understand why," Sturgeon said. "I was misled just as others were."
Details of the embezzlement and sentencing
Extent of the financial crime
MURRELL TO BE SENTENCED ON JUNE 23
In written terms of his guilty plea, Murrell admitted embezzling £400,310.65 from the SNP between 2010 and 2023, about £60,000 less than he was originally charged with. The documents showed he had used the funds to buy several vehicles, as well as items from luxury brands such as Estee Lauder and Harrods.
Police and public reactions
Police Scotland's Assistant Chief Constable Stuart Houston said Murrell had shown "utter contempt for the high public trust placed in him" and diverted cash to "bankroll the lavish lifestyle he craved but could not afford."
Murrell was remanded in custody and will be sentenced on June 23.
Reactions from SNP leadership and opposition
Current SNP leader John Swinney said Murrell's plea was "a terrible breach of trust and an overwhelming betrayal."
But Swinney and Sturgeon both faced scepticism from some former SNP members and opposition parties about how the scandal unfolded.
Calls for further scrutiny
"Nicola Sturgeon and the SNP attempted to shut down scrutiny about party finances," the Scottish Labour Party said.
"John Swinney must explain what he and the party knew, and when."
Additional information
($1 = 0.7412 pounds)
(Reporting by Alistair Smout, additional reporting by Sam Tobin; Editing by Gus Trompiz)
